Not to worry — or hurry — Keuchel and Clemens will get their shots

Houston fans want to see Dallas Keuchel. All in good time, just not this weekend or probably not next week, maybe not even next month.

Former first rounder Jordan Lyles was probably the leading candidate all along to sub for injured starter Kyle Weiland. Whether he remains in an Astros’ uniform or returns to OKC after Sunday’s spot start may depend on that start or how quickly Weiland recovers.

Nonetheless, it’s a system and Keuchel — along with Lyles, Henry Sosa and Paul Clemens — are systematically making their way through the process. Astros’ fans starved in recent years for good, solid prospects in the farm system are getting a heavy dose of upper possibilities in the farm land. Keuchel is a seventh round pick from 2009 and has been successful at every level — including hitter friend Lancaster — so the soft-tossing lefty from Arkansas is quickly endearing himself along the way.

Still, Keuchel isn’t on the 40-man roster, so there is no hurry to push him along just yet. Especially when Lyles already has had a taste and has earned another look-see with his 4-0, 3.36 mark in his first four starts. Moreover, Lyles has been impressive in almost every category, including WHIP (1.08) and K/BB (24-4). Will it translate at the MLB level? We’ll see.

The good news is that the Astros are exciting again and prospects are again waiting in the wings after a long, arduous dry spell for what many have considered the worst farm system in the majors the past few years.

While it wouldn’t be surprising to see any of OKC’s Fab Four called up this year, Keuchel may not even be the next in line after Lyles. Clemens is already on the 40-man roster and is turning heads all across the Pacific Coast League. Only Aneury Rodriguez is struggling in the OKC rotation.

It’s been a while since a minor league position player or pitcher has played his way onto the Astros’ roster, especially when others ahead of him weren’t “begging” to be replaced. At least for now, the Astros are able to resist the urge to push Clemens and Keuchel and allow them more starts under Burt Hooton’s tutelage outside the limelight.

Barring a trade or another injury, here’s the probable track for the Fab Four:

Clemens. Next callup, possibly just before or during the All Star break.

Sosa. Not on the 40-man roster, but since he’s had that “taste” and he’s 26. Not to mention that the Astros will want to get a good look at him before possibly losing him this winter.

Keuchel. There’s no hurry here, but he’ll continue to impress at OKC. Deadline trades may play a part in his callup.